Family-Friendly Luxury
Success breeds success, and that is the case for Sunreef Yachts in Gdansk, Poland. Its fully customized 80 7X Split sailing catamaran, with twin John Deere PowerTech™ 6068SFM85 engines, ranked among the top five sailing yachts at the 2018 Cannes Yachting Festival. The prestigious ranking brought instant results, including orders for a Sunreef 80 Sailing with twin John Deere 6.8L engines and a Sunreef 80 Power catamaran with John Deere 13.5L engines.
Souped-up customization for a superyacht
In fact, Sunreef raised the bar even higher when its 40 Open Power Diamond Limited Edition was recognized as the Best Power Driven Catamaran at the same event. It was yet another success for this innovative shipyard that always strives to set new standards in design, comfort, and finish. For example, it was the first to install a flybridge on a luxury oceangoing catamaran, which is now considered a must-have for every luxury muli-hull. To lower the air draft from 38.5 to 24 meters (126.3 to 78.7 feet) on a 25-meter (82-foot) Sunreef superyacht sailing catamaran, Sunreef designed a 34-meter (111.5-foot) carbon fiber mast that folds 90 degrees forward — another industry first.
Each custom-made Sunreef yacht is designed down to the last detail to meet the expectations of the most discerning customers. “From incorporating treasures such as recovered bar stools and lamps into one boat’s design to installing a piano in the saloon of another, we aim to make sure each customer enjoys the comforts of their personalized home away from home,” says Francis Lapp, founder and owner.
Flexibility and freedom
The Sunreef 80 7X Split that caused such a stir at Cannes was built for a Croatian owner active in the hotel sector. The first in the 80 range, it is an all-around sailing leisure yacht ideal for exclusive getaways, charter, and transoceanic adventures.
Keen to use the yacht both with his family and as a charter, the new owner wanted a family-friendly layout with ample privacy for eight guests and a well-equipped galley. The 24.4-meter (80-foot) yacht features a 340-square-meter (1,115 square-foot) living area that opens to the bow terrace and cockpit. The open space offers freedom and flexibility, with free-standing furniture that can be rearranged at any time.
At the owner's request, Sunreef installed a custom-designed island cabinet in the saloon with a wine cooler inside. Foldable backrests on the sofa allow it to transform into a lounge bed. Family and guests enjoy the luxury of the three airy guest cabins with en suite bathrooms and an opulent master suite with a walk-in dressing room, desk, sofa, TV, and bathroom.
Powerfully responsive marine engines
Comfortable living also means comfortable cruising. The 80 7X Split's two composite hulls and superstructure concept ensure good balance above and below the water line and steady navigation.
Two John Deere 208-kW (280-hp) PowerTech 6068SFM85 engines, in combination with two bow thrusters, ensure the owner can effortlessly enter and exit ports and docks. The engines drive four SPW folding propellers at a ratio of 1:2,493; for quick trips, the marine engines can be engaged alone. Engine maintenance is easy, as the superyacht engine room provides ample access to service the engines from all sides. "These engines can be operated at low rpm, which I believe contributes to fuel efficiency, low vibration, and long engine life," adds Lapp. "This makes both us and our customers happy."
Sunreef has been using John Deere 168-kW (225-hp) PowerTech 4045AFM85 engines in its 21- and 23-meter (68- and 74-foot) sailing yachts for years and intends to continue to use the PowerTech 6.8L engines for the more demanding 24-meter (80-foot) sailing range. The first Sunreef 80 Power catamaran launched in early 2019 with twin 373-kW (500-hp) PowerTech 6135SFM85 engines. “Using multiple models enables us to standardize our inventory of the most significant spare parts,” says Lapp.
Long-time engine supplier Techbud Sp. z o.o. provided excellent support, as always. "Sunreef is very familiar with our technology, but each of its customers has particular requirements, so we are always on standby to ensure the best possible performance," says Dawid Warcaba, brand manager at Techbud.
“These engines can be operated at low rpm, which I believe contributes to low vibration, fuel efficiency, and long engine life. This makes both us and our customers happy.”
